Epoxy nanocomposites simultaneously strengthened and toughened by hybridization with graphene oxide and block ionomer. (10th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Zhiguang; Song, Pingan; Zhang, Jin; Guo, Qipeng; Mai, Yiu-Wing
• Is Part Of: Composites science and technology. Volume 168(2018)
• Page Start: 363
• Page End: 370
• Publication Date: 2018-11-10
• Subjects: A: Polymer -- B: Fracture toughness -- B: Synergism; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Fibrous composites; Periodicals; 620.118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2018.10.020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-3538

Abstract

Abstract: Epoxies are widely used in many engineering applications, however, their fracture energy remains less than desired and conventional toughening agents usually lead to compromised tensile strength. In this study, a simple one-pot blending method was used, in which both graphene oxide and a block ionomer were blended with epoxy resin. Herein, we reported that increases of ∼200% in fracture energy ( G IC ), 48% in uniaxial tensile strength ( σ t ) and 340% in tensile strain could be achieved by incorporating 1.0 wt% graphene oxide into an epoxy matrix with 20 wt% sulfonated polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-block-polystyrene (SSEBS). In addition, the glass transition temperature ( T g ) of the nanocomposite increased with increasing graphene oxide (GO) content and the storage modulus ( E ′) decreased when the GO content was less than 0.50 wt% owing to the introduction of the block ionomer SSEBS. Careful examination of the nano-morphology of SSEBS revealed that it improved the dispersion of the graphene oxide in and enhanced its interaction with the epoxy matrix, hence simultaneously strengthening and toughening the epoxy resin.